Exercise and Mindfulness in Patients With Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain: The BACKFIT Project

The exercise intervention will focus on working the core muscles, starting with low-intensity isometric contraction of the core muscles that stabilize the trunk; increasing intensity by performing functional tasks (phase 1: independent isometric contraction of transversus-abdominis and multifidus, phase 2: co-contraction and functional tasks of the deep trunk muscles; phase 3: functional task with load; phase 4: functional task with unstable surface)

The Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program will strictly follow the protocol developed by Jon Kabat Zinn. Each session will include three activities: the presentation of a topic, moments of dialogue and exploration in group (using appreciative inquiry) and a Mindfulness practice. Participants will be provided with workbooks, audios with guided meditations, and instructions for practice at home. In addition, the Exercise + mindfulness intervention will include the exercise program described in the exercise intervention.

The control group will be provided with the usual care received in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service: stretching, breathing and motor control exercises 2 days / week (45 minutes per session) during a period of 8 weeks.